Chapter ISG, Problem 1.3.12P

To determine

To find if there is a commutative property or associative property for subtraction and explain each term.

Answer to Problem 1.3.12P

Not exist commutative property for subtraction

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

Commutative property for subtraction exist or not

Subtraction is not commutative. For example $\left(4-7\right)$ does not have the same difference as $\left(7-4\right)$ . The $(-)$ sign here means subtraction.

However, recall that $\left(4-7\right)$ can be rewritten as $4+\left(-7\right)$ , Since subtracting a number is the same as adding its opposite. Applying the commutative property for here. You can say that $4+\left(-7\right)$ is the same as $\left(-7\right)+4$ . Notice how this expression is very different than $7-4$ .Subtraction is not commutative